Technical information

Where the ADE electric linear actuators
are declared standard.

  • Up to 2.000 kN
  • Up to a stroke 12 m

ADE-WERK has been producing screw-driven electric linear actuators in special, customised applications, mainly for the multiple industrial use, since approx. 1965. The extensive experiences in this field of drive technology were the basis for the groundbreaking success of the ADE electric linear actuators as the drive concept for navigation locks and barrages since their first installation in 1995.

ADE-Actuator, weir of Liepe (Germany) (photo WSA Eberswalde)

Compared to the previously used outdated electromechanical drives and the electro-hydraulic drives installed since the 1980s, which are hazardous to the environment, these electric linear actuators, which were specially conceived for this application and which have in the mean time become standardised, have prevailed. ADE’s electric linear actuators have proven themselves repeatedly and become indispensable due to their quick and uncomplicated commissioning procedure and minimal error-rate, even under very tough and challenging operating conditions.

The previously used, conventional electromechanical drive, which consisted mostly of open reduction stages, swivelling segments, and driving rods, was not only problematic with regard to environmental pollution but also required a lot of maintenance - due to its open grease lubrication. In case of an electric oil-hydraulic drive, leakages can never be excluded and pose a considerable potential danger. Oil and tube change intervals, as well as regular leakage checks, increase the amount of maintenance required.

In this way, the further development to the currently used ADE electric linear actuators, with all of its known advantages, became a necessary and logical consequence.The ADE electric linear actuators, as a completely encapsulated, electro-mechanical drive unit, consists basically of a drive motor, screw drive with bearing, housing and the extendable and retractable piston rod as the external power transmission element.

Its essential advantages compared with the previous, conventional drive variants along the waterway, are documented by numerous references in the area of hydraulic steel structures. In the mean time, 900 drives of this kind have been delivered and are used all over Europe in over 150 sluices and weir systems.

Basic design and function: ADE linear electric actuators for hydraulic steel structures

Item 1 Motor / Gearbox
Induces torque at screw drive. Depending on the direction of rotation, it causes the actuator to travel forwards or backwards.

Item 2 Spring assembly
Integrated spring assembly, protects actuator against operational axial impact loads.

Item 3 Bearing

Item 4 Screw drive /piston
The screw drive causes the actual move.and generates axial force at torque.

Item 5 Housing
Its task is a general protection against external influences. The housing is used for guiding the piston.

Item 6 Piston rod
The piston is connected to the piston rod, which itself moves inwards and outwards.

Item 7 Guiding of piston rod
Its task is to guide the piston rod and at the same time it is a sealing element, also protecting against dirt and aggressive medium.

Item 8 Swivel- / fork head
Trough the pivot head / fork head, the power is fed to the part to be moved.